Are You Grateful for Your Trials?

Hola! Aloha! Malo e lelei! Talofa! Sup brah! Okay anyways, now
that I've got y'all's attention, how art thou? First things first, transfers are coming up Wednesday (which is also my birthday just in case any of y'all forgot), & looks like I'll be staying here in Watauga for another transfer. Yay! Let's just pray that I don't have to drive haha. So here's how week 34 went. 

Made some pancakes (Hawaiian Macadamia Pancakes sent from home)

My batch of chocolate chip cookies!

Monday we had Pday with everyone. Did the normal. Clean up & shopping. Apparently everyone decided to all go the same Walmart. Missionaries were all over the place. We had fun playing chair soccer & stuff at the stake center. Then we had dinner with the Hill family & ended up staying way later then we needed to but nonetheless, it was still a wonderful visit. 

Elders think they're funny blocking us in!

Tuesday our appointment canceled 👎🏽 so we went to the food pantry. Then we went out & tried contacting more people. Then after dinner, we went out on exchanges with sweet Sister Villarreal & tried to visit a few more people. We ended up getting dropped by one of our investigators Raul 😒 he said he needed time away from the church cuz he's going through a lot. It was sad & I was pretty bummed but we will continue to encourage him & be there for him when he needs us.

Our awesome Hurst Zone!

Wednesday we had district meeting. I was asked to give a training on "how we help our investigators to repent." I thought it went good. We also talked about how sometimes us as missionaries are way too hard on ourselves & so we need to repent, humble ourselves & work on one thing at a time instead of everything all at once. The spirit was super strong & I received lots of revelation for sure. It was great! 

Crazy missionaries!

Then we went to Braums for lunch. The Elders thought it would be funny to make us get lost......punks! But eh, God loves all his children right?! Haha. Gotta love um I guess. We then went out & tried contacting a few people. Got to visit some less active people which was awesome! We had dinner with the bishop & his family & it was sweet. Thursday we did weekly planning at the stake center. Hermana Spackman hung out with us for a few hours while her companion was at the new trainer meeting. After weekly planning, we went out & tracked. Weren't very successful though. We were able to visit some less actives that are no longer associated with the church. That was interesting. Friday we went to the food pantry. I love doing service! Got to have a little lesson with one of the guys that volunteer there. He was saying how he likes small churches cuz you can feel the spirit. It was a good conversation for sure. After that, we got to visit a sweet less active lady, name Sister Howard & her non member husband Lee. She told us her conversion story. She also talked about how her & her daughter were having a conversation about how we as children of God, came to this earth to find those who we made promises with in the pre-mortal life. Made me think of a story called, "I found my friend." (I'll attach a picture of it so y'all can read it.) I shared with her that story & it just touched her. It's so true. We are sent here to this earth to find our friends & bring them back to our Savior & our Heavenly Father. It's not going to be easy, but it's going to be worth it! It was a great lesson. 

Read the Story Click Here!

Saturday we went to the animal shelter & helped them out for a little bit. I ain't a big fan of animals (mostly cats) but eh, you gotta do what you gotta do. Nonetheless, we had fun! 🐶🐱 after service, we went & visited with Paulette before dinner (the lady with the lemurs that we did service for). Got to talk with her & share a little bit about what we do as missionaries. Hopefully we get to teach her more so, please pray for her! We also got to meet with the sweet Twendele family!!! Love them so much. Sad though cuz we have to refer them over to the African Elders who work with the people that come from Africa who speak French & Swahili. It's sad to hand them off but we know that it will be the best thing for them. They were so appreciative & kept thanking us for coming over & sharing the gospel with them. Please pray for them as well 🙏🏽Sunday was good!!! Can't believe it was fast Sunday already. After church we tried contacting a few people but I guess no one was home. After dinner with the Furgos, we got to visit with the Martinez family. They're doing great. Please pray for them that maybe, we will be able to start actually teaching them.

Officially part of the Villarreal Family!

Well, I ain't gonna lie.....this week has been hard. Got dropped, got rejected & also had to give up a sweet family. In the Book of Mormon we read, "there must be opposition in all things." If we don't go through the hard times, then how are we supposed to appreciate & recognize the good? I've come to a point in my life where I can finally say, "thank you Heavenly Father, for the trials. I have learned to be grateful for the hard times cuz they're learning opportunities for us to grow & truly become something far more greater then what we can ever imagine. I have been pondering opposition & trials lately & have come to understand that even Christ himself, was faced with opposition & trials. Rejected before he was even born with having to be laid in a manger cuz there was no room for him in the inn. He knows exactly what we need & when we need it. He says, "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand & on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, & mine angels round about you, to bear you up. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." Jesus Christ is there waiting with open arms to help us over come opposition & trials in our lives. He has taught me to stay positive & always look at the bigger picture. I am grateful for the hard times. It strengthens my faith & makes me work even that much harder. I love y'all very very very much!!! Thank you for the prayers that you say on my behalf. I feel them everyday!!!! Y'all have a fabulous week family!!!!! Until next week!!!!

Hurrah for Israel!
Love,
Sister Kamalani Kawa'a 😘

P.S. HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY to my Brother Kamalei!!!! I love you so much. We'll be the same age for 2 more days!!! Haha. How does it feel to be 20? 😎🤔 hope you had a good day Bubs!!!!! Miss you!!!! Also, HAPPY (early) 2nd BIRTHDAY to my pē, my baby, my niece Ceralena!!!! A.K.A. "Honey Girl" 👶🏽🌺 I already know that the fam is spoiling you rotten. Aunty misses you heaps! Sending you lots of loves, hugs & kisses. Aloha au iā ʻoe!!!! 😘🎉🎊🎈🎁